Vial rupturing apparatus

Abstract

Vial rupturing apparatus is disclosed for destroying vials, typically small medicinal vials. Each vial is split longitudinally by a thin vertical blade while the vial is maintained horizontal. This is done either by moving the blade while holding the vial or by urging the vial onto a stationary blade.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for rupturing an elongated plastic vial which has opposite first and second ends and a longitudinal central axis therethrough, said apparatus comprising a support means comprising a pair of parallel, horizontally-oriented bars for supporting said elongated vial such that said longitudinal axis thereof is generally horizontally oriented, said bars defining a drainage channel therebetween,   a rupturing means for rupturing said elongated vial in parallel with its longitudinal central axis, said rupturing means consisting of a blade holder and a knife blade, said knife blade extending beyond said blade holder and towards the first end of said elongated vial, said knife blade having a sharpened edge facing said first end of said elongated vial,   an abutment means for contacting the second end of said elongated vial and preventing said elongated vial from sliding in a direction parallel to its longitudinal central axis as the knife blade of said rupturing means moves through said vial,   distance-reducing means for reducing the distance between said rupturing means and said abutment means to cause the knife blade of said rupturing means to rupture said elongated vial in parallel with its longitudinal central axis,   an upwardly-oriented flat sheet having an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge being connected to one of said pair of parallel, horizontally-oriented bars, and   a cassette means connected to the upper edge of said flat sheet, said cassette discharging individual elongated plastic vials onto said flat sheet to roll therealong into position on said pair of parallel, horizontally-oriented bars.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said abutment means is stationarily mounted and wherein said distance-reducing means is connected to said rupturing means to move said rupturing means toward said abutment means. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said distance-reducing means comprises a pneumatic ram, said pneumatic ram including a cylinder and a piston movable therein, said piston being connected to said blade holder. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said rupturing means is stationarily mounted and wherein said movement means is connected to said abutment means to move it toward said rupturing means. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said abutment means comprises a pair of parallel, vertically-oriented pillars. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said knife blade is planar. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said planar knife blade is mounted on said blade holder to be vertically oriented. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pair of parallel, horizontally-oriented bars together define a generally V-shaped support surface in which each said elongated vial can rest. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said knife blade is vertically oriented and a portion of said knife blade extends into said drainage channel.